Ok, so I’ve got 3 cassettes; 11-26, 12-25 and 12-27. And 2 wheelsets; Hed 3’s and Shimano R500. I’m currently using the Shimano’s for training and the Hed’s for racing. I do mostly flatter course tri’s but will be doing a couple of hilly tri’s this season (Monaco 70.3 being one) that I plan on using the 12-27 for. I’m also going to be purchasing a third wheelset, something along the lines of Hed Jet 50’s or 60’s. What is the best combination of cassette/wheels/race course type?
Nobody? Where are all the experts?
Just get a tool for switching cassettes around, pick the best one for the course.
I can’t speak to the wheels, but your cassettes are all similar. With the cassettes you have, halfway through the set they start going in two tooth increments. That can lead to that feeling of not being able to find the right gear.
I have a 12-25, looking to get an 11-21 so I don’t have so many gaps in the cassette for flat courses. I had a problem last year when I was going straight into the wind on a flat course and kept having to go back and forth between the 17 and 19 tooth cogs… the 18 would have been perfect, but it wasn’t there.
Maybe go to the classifieds and swap one of your existing cassettes for a 11-21 so you have one for flat courses?
You’ve left out 2/3rd of the equation.
What size wheels and what chain rings?
Are you strong on hills?
All that stuff matters.
I have a compact crank and 700c wheels. I can “manage” hills but am concerned that a very hilly course like Monaco will tire me out substantially hence the 12-27. But for training and flatter tri’s is there a specific combination that will be better?
I have a compact crank and 700c wheels. I can “manage” hills but am concerned that a very hilly course like Monaco will tire me out substantially hence the 12-27. But for training and flatter tri’s is there a specific combination that will be better?
i use a 11-23 for flat races and a 12-25 for hills and training
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